Helpful Articles for Families, Adults & Teens

October 26, 2022 By Lakeside Academy

How to Identify & Help Teen Boys Who Cut & Self-Harm

When you’re a parent, it can be overwhelming if you suspect your teen son is cutting himself. Unfortunately, it can be hard to notice when teens are inflicting self-harm. Here, we help you identify the warning signs and how to get your teen son help.

What Are the Signs of Self-Harm?

Often, teens will cut themselves secretly. This can make identifying forms of self-harm difficult, especially if you haven’t noticed changes in their moods or behavior.

If you’re worried about your teen son self-harming, first pay attention to his behavior. It’s natural for teens to be moody, but watch out for possible signs of depression or other mental health challenges. Become familiar with these signs and check in with your son on a regular basis, practicing caring and open communication. [Read more…]

October 17, 2022 By Lakeside Academy

How Can ADHD Treatment Help My Teen Son?

Having ADHD can affect every part of your teen son’s life, and you’re probably wondering the best way to help him. When it comes to treatment for ADHD, there are so many options to explore, it can be overwhelming.

The best way to approach ADHD treatment is with a holistic mindset. Your teen son may need more than one type of treatment to experience success. Let’s go over the different ADHD treatments and how they can help your son.

What Are the Treatment Options for ADHD?

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September 27, 2022 By Lakeside Academy

How Substance Abuse Treatment Works

Going through addiction recovery is more than just overcoming a drug or alcohol habit. Often, many addicts are facing multiple challenges in their lives. They need to learn healthy ways to address these challenges to have a successful rehabilitation.

Substance abuse treatment is all about taking a holistic approach. While different programs may vary, the overall goal is to help individuals live productive and meaningful lives. Let’s find out how substance abuse treatment works and what you can generally expect from a treatment program.

Monitored Detox Period

One of the hardest things when treating substance abuse is going through a detox period. During detox, a person gradually reduces alcohol or drugs from their system.

Since the brain and body are adjusting to the absence of chemicals, withdrawal symptoms may manifest.

These symptoms can be extremely unpleasant and range from moderate to severe. Detoxing addicts may experience fever, headaches, paranoia, nausea or even seizures. While this process may sound scary, monitored detox focuses on managing these symptoms safely. [Read more…]

September 9, 2022 By Lakeside Academy

A Day in the Life of Your Teen Son at Lakeside Academy

Sending your teen son away for recovery is never an easy choice. To make it easier, we want you to know what a typical day looks like at Lakeside Academy. Here, we’ll break down what kind of activities, care and therapy your teen son will participate in during their time on our campus.

Rise & Shine: Lakeside in the Mornings

Preparing for the Day

Each boy is expected to be ready to start their day at Lakeside by 7:50 a.m. Wake-up time is at 7:00 a.m., and each boy has the option to wake up earlier to exercise, study, shower and dress.

Around 7:00 a.m., the boys head to our dining hall for a continental-style breakfast. They’ll also receive any prescribed medications that are part of their ongoing care.

Morning Programming

Programming begins by 8:00 a.m. Every Monday, we hold a community meeting to start the week off on a positive note. Tuesday through Friday, boys start the day with Character Formation. They learn how to form healthy habits, cope with stressful situations and develop effective communication skills. [Read more…]

August 29, 2022 By Lakeside Academy

Signs That Your Teen Son Needs In-Depth Treatment for Depression

One question often asked by parents is, “How do I know when my teen son needs help for depression?” From struggling in school to having trouble with relationships, it’s hard to know if he’s just having a bad week or if something more serious is going on.

The important thing to remember is that depression is a spectrum. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe and each person’s experience differs. Here we lay out warning signs of depression that you can identify, and when to seek out treatment for your teen son.

When Should I Pay Attention to the Signs of Depression?

Do the Symptoms Persist?

We all get sad, anxious and pessimistic from time to time. This is a normal part of the human experience and is especially common with teenagers and their fluctuating hormones.

When symptoms are chronic, that’s the time to pay attention. If symptoms occur each day for two weeks, start to seek treatment options. Don’t let it go on longer, as symptoms can grow in severity over time.

Are There Risk Factors to Consider?